Use of melanotrophin-potentiating factor as a therapeutic agent

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound Lys-Lys-GIy-Glu-OH as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilisate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide Lys-Lys-Gly-Glu-OH optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide consisting of the sequence Lys-Lys-Gly-Glu-OH (SEQ ID NO:1). 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , wherein said composition is incorporated in a nutritional formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional formulation is an artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute suitable for oral administration to newborns, toddlers and infants. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , wherein said composition is prepared as a lyophilized formulation or a buffered liquid formulation. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , wherein said composition comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient or diluent. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, fibrotic disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, lung disease, heart and vascular disease and metabolic disease, the method comprising,
 administering to a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide consisting of the sequence Lys-Lys-Gly-Glu-OH (SEQ ID NO:1) or salts or hydrates thereof, wherein administration of the pharmaceutical composition treats said diseases.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cancer, autoimmune disease, fibrotic disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, lung disease, heart and vascular disease and metabolic disease is selected from shock and tissue injury, vascular leakage syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, gastrointestinal necrosis, acute renal tube necrosis, adrenal hemorrhage, anorexia, hepatosplenomegaly, subendocardial inflammation, insulin resistance, pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and/or COPD. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the peptide is administered by intravenous administration, oral administration, or administration by inhalation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the peptide is administered as a lyophilized formulation or as a buffered liquid formulation.